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CINCINNATI (June 30, 2025) – The Cincinnati Open has announced ellesse as its official tennis apparel partner, and as part of the agreement, the brand will be title sponsor of the new ellesse Junior Championships at the Cincinnati Open. The Cincinnati Open, a joint ATP and WTA 1000-level event, will take place Aug. 5-18, while the junior tournament will be held Aug. 16-18, with all matches taking place at the transformed Lindner Family Tennis Center. This milestone partnership with the Cincinnati Open marks the return of ellesse to the U.S. market, by reinforcing the brand’s rich tennis heritage and its iconic Italian style to a new generation of players and fans. As the tournament’s apparel partner, ellesse will provide the outfits for the ball crew, officials, staff and its more than 1,400 volunteers. The junior event will shine a spotlight on the future stars of the sport and deepen ellesse’s commitment to championing tennis at every level.  “We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this tournament and to be the Cincinnati Open’s official tennis apparel sponsor. This represents a major step forward in ellesse’s tennis revival,” said Duwayne Miller, spokesperson at ellesse US. The ellesse Junior Championships at the Cincinnati Open is a National Level 3 USTA event for players aged 18-and-under with entries based on ranking. Level 3 National tournaments are a part of the USTA National Junior Schedule and sanctioned by the USTA National Office. The 32-player singles and 16-team doubles events for both boys and girls will take place August 16-18 on the same courts where the best pros in the world compete. The junior singles and doubles finalists will receive tickets to the Cincinnati Open men’s and women’s championship matches. “Hosting a junior competition alongside our professional event is very intentional for the Cincinnati Open,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director at the Cincinnati Open. “The goal for our new state of the art facility is to become the focal point of tennis in the Midwest at all levels. The moment to provide these young players the opportunity to perform alongside the best players in the world is something we’re very excited about and provides our fans a glimpse of the rising stars who aspire to be on the Cincinnati Open stage in the future.”Registration to play the ellesse Junior Championships at the Cincinnati Open is available at playtennis.usta.com. The campus transformation that has added 10 courts this year to make it possible to host the junior event is part of a $260 million investment with the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio. It will bring the total number of outdoor courts at the venue to 31 while also adding a six-court indoor facility, pickleball and padel courts, new locker room facilities for professional and recreational player use, and a Clubhouse that will be utilized year-round with restaurant and function room space.  Cincinnati Open tickets are on sale now at cincinnatiopen.com.   About the Cincinnati Open Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is an ATP Masters 1000 and a WTA 1000 tournament that is proudly supported by cornerstone partners Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Procter & Gamble, Great American Insurance Company, Fifth Third and Kroger. The Cincinnati Open annually welcomes 200,000 fans who come from all 50 states and 46 countries and is viewed in 187 global markets. With a focus on community, the tournament annually contributes to local charities supporting youth, families, education, health and wellness initiatives. In 2025, following a $260 million campus transformation, the Cincinnati Open will expand the men’s and women’s singles fields to 96 players each and increase to 14 days. For more information, visit www.cincinnatiopen.com. About ellesse Founded in 1959, Perugia, Italy, ellesse has long been synonymous with style, heritage, and sporting excellence. ellesse in the US is operated under license by The Iconic Brand Corporation (TIBC), located in Dallas, TX, structured by its Chairman Todd Furniss, CEO Duwayne Miller, and CFO PM Andersson. Debuting in Spring 2026, a new premium collection will present a refined fusion of on and off-court apparel, seamlessly blending athletic performance with elevated, contemporary design. For more information, visit ellesse.us. About the WTA The WTA is the original game-changer for women’s sport. Founded in 1973 by the visionary Billie Jean King, the WTA was created to build equal opportunities for women in tennis, and we’ve been breaking boundaries ever since. Today we’re the powerhouse of women’s professional sports, uniting athletes in fearless competition and bringing people together through the love of tennis. The Hologic WTA Tour shares the thrill of every serve, rally and match point with an audience of more one billion around the world. Players compete for PIF WTA ranking points in tournament arenas on six continents before the season hits its peak at the WTA Finals, where the best singles and doubles superstars battle to be crowned as year-end champions. Our ambitions go well beyond the court. We are champions for our 1,600 incredible athletes and drivers of change through advocacy and action for women’s health and empowerment across the globe. Rally the world: wtatennis.com About the ATP As a global governing body of men’s professional tennis, the ATP’s mission is to serve tennis. We entertain a billion global fans, showcase the world’s greatest players at the most prestigious tournaments, and inspire the next generation of fans and players. From the United Cup in Australia, to Europe, the Americas and Asia, the stars of the game battle for titles and PIF ATP Rankings points at ATP Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events, and Grand Slams. All roads lead towards the Nitto ATP Finals, the prestigious season finale held in Turin, Italy. Featuring only the world’s top 8 qualified singles players and doubles teams, the tournament also sees the official crowning of the year-end ATP World No. 1, presented by PIF, the ultimate achievement in tennis. For more information, please visit www.ATPTour.com.

In a bold move set to reshape the U.S. sportswear landscape, Pentland Brands has announced an exclusive, long term licensing partnership with The Iconic Brand Corporation (TIBC) to relaunch ellesse across the United States, the world’s most dynamic sport and lifestyle market, with tennis and ski at its forefront. Under the new licensing agreement, and in close collaboration with the ellesse team, TIBC will design, develop, produce, and market all ellesse apparel and accessories collections across the United States. The first collection, launching Spring 2026, will debut direct-to-consumer through ellesse.us followed by select Flagship retail locations opening late 2026. This milestone agreement signals a bold new chapter in the ellesse journey, positioning the brand for rapid expansion across physical and digital channels, exclusive country clubs and select specialty retailers.  Celebrated for its fusion of performance and style, ellesse has long occupied a unique space where the elegance of Italian fashion meets the energy of sport. This next chapter brings that legacy to life for a new generation of American consumers, supported by a robust brand strategy with a focus on premium design, cultural relevance, and world-class collaborations in sport, fashion, and lifestyle. At the helm of The Iconic Brands Corporation expansion is a seasoned team of industry leaders: Todd Furniss, Chairman, was ellesse’s first U.S. contract tennis player in 1978. A key figure in U.S. tennis and golf culture, he now leads gTC Group with a strong presence in private equity and healthcare transformation. Duwayne Miller, CEO, is a visionary apparel executive with over 25 years of experience launching and scaling businesses across apparel and home textiles. His work with brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and Four Seasons reflects a proven ability to combine product innovation with commercial execution. PM Andersson, CFO, brings international financial expertise across consumer goods, private equity, and asset management sectors - ensuring strong, responsible growth for the brand’s future. “We’re delighted to welcome The Iconic Brand Company into the ellesse family. This is a group of leaders who understand what it takes to build something meaningful. Our partnership allows us to reintroduce the brand in a way that feels elevated, relevant, and true to its heritage. They bring passion, precision, and the kind of deep cultural connection that aligns beautifully with where we’re heading as a global brand.” Jack Richardson, SVP & Brand Director at Pentland Brands. “Collaborating with the talented team that Duwayne is building, which includes industry experts across product development, sourcing, digital, and marketing, alongside the Pentland Group in London, is one of my greatest professional and personal joys. ellesse is a brand that I have had a relationship with for 47 years, and few things could bring more personal excitement and enthusiasm than returning ellesse to its place of prominence at the intersection of sport, fashion, and culture,” Todd Furniss, Chairman at The Iconic Brand Corporation.